Birmingham City – Tilton Tattle – 3

Steve Bruce has rubbished reports suggesting he had a number of arguments with the board of Birmingham City. ‘I suppose with a manager who gets relegated that kind of thing is always going to be there. The bottom line is that I am staying here and I am looking forward to helping us mount a serious promotion challenge. We’re all agreed on that, we’re all looking forward.’ No Bust Up, Just High Emotions

Vital Spurs asked the other day if Blues will still sign Stephen Kelly from Tottenham. Reports in the Mail seem to agree with their sentiment that the White Hart Lane outfit simply took up the one year option on his contract so they would be able to command a fee for the defender – latest reports suggest in the region of £1million. The situation for Kelly remains the same, he will need to leave if he wants to play regular first team football.

Blues Player of the Year 2005/6 Neil Kilkenny is training with the Australian national side in the Netherlands.

Blues midfielder Mehdi Nafti returned to action for Tunisia on Tuesday night managing 45 minutes after missing most of the Premiership season with a knee injury. Tunisia beat Belarus 3-0.

Steve Bruce says you don’t need to be Einstein to realise that Blues need at least 4-5 new players. He says the trick is getting the right blend.

Birmingham City general manager John Benson has left the club due to the 200-mile daily journey.

The official site has announced three more pre-season games at Solihull Borough (Damson Parkway 12th July, 7.30pm), Hereford United (15th July, 3pm) and Boston United (29th July, 3pm). All games will be classed as reserve team fixtures.

According to clubcall, Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson is a target for West Ham United. The former Arsenal man is under contract until 2008 but the report claims Alan Pardew is looking to add him to the Hammers squad.

Colchester boss Phil Parkinson says he is resigned to losing 23-year-old midfielder Neil Danns and has been looking for replacements.